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A woman working illegally in Hong Kong as a post-natal care worker was jailed for two months by Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today (June 7).
During an anti-illegal workers operation by Task force of Immigration Department on May 12, a 44-year-old Mainland woman was found working as a post-natal care worker in a residential flat in Western District. She pleaded guilty to one count of breaching condition of stay and was jailed for two months.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
The spokesman also appealed to employers not to employ illegal workers, warning that it was an offence to employ people who were not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years. To deter unlawful employment, the High Court laid down a sentencing guideline in 2004 reaffirming that it was a serious offence to employ someone who was not legally employable, and the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
Ends/Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:37
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